Forget the stingers for a minute - the fact is, without bees, life would not be as sweet.

In addition to providing honey to flavor our favorite recipes, honeybees are responsible for 80 percent of insect-pollinated crops in the U.S.

In recognition of this busy insect's key role in the food cycle, the Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center has scheduled its first annual Honey Bee Festival for Sept. 11.

"We owe thanks to the honeybee for so many of our favorite foods, including apples, blueberries, cucumbers, watermelons, broccoli, cantaloupe, coffee, and almonds to name a few" said Jason West, Director of Development for the Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center Foundation. "This festival is a great way to appreciate the honeybee's important job and to learn a little about its bounty."

The festival will include family activities such as bee games, crafts, honey samples, storytime and a children's bee costume contest. Also included will be cooking demonstrations and samples of local honey.

Beekeeper Dan Harris of Boogerhill Farms will be on hand to discuss bee-keeping and describe threats to the honey bee population.

The Honey Bee Festival runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center, 2020 Clean Water Drive in Buford. Admission to the festival is included in the price of admission to the Center. GEHC members are admitted free.

The GEHC is also offering free admission to grandparents with the paid admission of grandchildren.

"This is a great opportunity to enjoy time as a family and to learn about one of our favorite and most valuable insects," West said.

For more information, call 770-904-3542 or visit www.gwinnettehc.org.